Former point guard Goodson gets handle on second career

Baylor defensive back Demetri Goodson (3) breaks up a pass intended for Southern Methodist wide receiver Der'rikk Thompson (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Waco, Texas, Sunday, Sept. 2, 2012. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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NO EASY SWITCH

Several notable athletes have attempted the basketball-to-football transition that Baylor cornerback Demetri Goodson is undergoing:

Made transition

Tony Gonzalez: Former California power forward became a 12-time Pro Bowl tight end with the Kansas City Chiefs and Atlanta Falcons.

Antonio Gates: After Nick Saban wouldn't let him play football and basketball at Michigan State, the tight end surfaced at Kent State en route to a 10-season career with the San Diego Chargers.

Cornell Green: A basketball player at Utah State, he never missed a game in his 13-year career as defensive back with the Cowboys.

Couldn't cut it

John Havlicek: Basketball Hall of Famer unsuccessfully attempted to make the Cleveland Browns as a wide receiver in 1962.

While burying himself in film preparation and football technique, Goodson is learning on the fly to become an effective college cornerback.

Goodson's athleticism has earned him a starting spot in Baylor's secondary after barely a year in the program. Most remarkably, it is only two years since he was a starting point guard on Gonzaga's nationally ranked basketball team.

“The hardest part is how much practice and film work goes into it,” said Goodson, who hadn't played football since his sophomore season in high school before joining the Bears.

“I thought you just lined up and played, but there are a lot of things you have to learn to go out and play well. It's a challenge sometimes.”

Goodson, a former standout at Klein Collins High in the Houston area, was playing basketball at the highest level for the Bulldogs. He started 68 of 69 games spanning his sophomore and junior campaigns, piling up 529 career points and 206 assists as he led them into the NCAA tournament in both of those seasons.

His most notable career highlight came in 2009 on a length-of-the-court drive and running jumper just before the buzzer that propelled Gonzaga past Western Kentucky and into the Sweet 16.

But with the arrival of top recruits David Stockton and Kevin Pangos, Goodson's minutes diminished as a senior.

When Goodson told Gonzaga coach Mark Few about his plans, his former coach couldn't believe what he was thinking.

“Coach Few said I would be crazy to do it,” Goodson said. “He thought I was just an athlete who thought I could play both sports. But I told him he had never seen me play football before. A couple of people thought I was crazy, but I knew my capabilities.”

His older brother Michael Goodson, a standout tailback at Texas A&M who now plays with the NFL's Oakland Raiders, isn't surprised by his brother's athletic transformation.

“I knew that Demetri had it in him,” Michael Goodson said. “I've never seen anybody as competitive in my life. Whether it was playing marbles or video games as a kid, he's always been determined. So I'm not surprised he's doing well.”

His basketball-to-football transition isn't that dramatic, according to Baylor coach Art Briles.

“When you think about, if you are point guard, you are handling the basketball and playing defense,” Briles said. “When playing cornerback, there's a lot of similarities. You're isolated and you have a guy to cover. It's not that hard when you have a guy with the athletic ability like Demetri.”

After starting last season returning kicks, Goodson moved into the playing rotation after injuries decimated Baylor's depth. His season ended when he tore ligaments in his right ankle against Iowa State in early October.

H has picked up where he left off by earning a starting position, notching seven tackles and a pass deflection in the Bears' season-opening victory over SMU. He then snagged his first career interception in Baylor's win over Sam Houston State the next week.

But he also has been burned a couple of times for big gains, learning quickly that a short memory is an important part of a cornerback's skill set.

He'll have a big test Saturday at West Virginia, where the Bears will be facing Heisman Trophy-contending quarterback Geno Smith and the Mountaineers' high-powered offensive attack.

It's a long way from when he resumed his football career, when he admitted it took him several practices to feel comfortable wearing a helmet.

“I had to get used to wearing those pants with the pads in them again,” Goodson said, chuckling. “But all in all, I think my transition has come pretty fast.”